Class D-2 Prep Preview Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Nebraska Prep season is just around the corner. Let's take a look into the crystal ball at some teams who made the State Tournament last year in Class D-2. Here are some returning standouts from a season ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shelton was a youthful team last year with a 23-9 record headed into Lincoln at Pinnacle Bank Arena. They battled State Runner–Up Cambridge in a 4 set loss. That experience will prove to be valuable this upcoming season. Here are some Bulldogs to keep on the radar:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside [player_tooltip player_id='253923' first='Jalyn' last='Branson'] has produced since her freshman year. She is one of those players that already has that veteran feel and has been around for a long time. Branson had a breakout freshman year and stood out the past two years at the LaVista Top 250 Showcase. She finished the club season with 16 Black and captured a 3rd place finish at GJNC in 16 Liberty. Branson is so powerful at the pin. She has both a great line and cut shot. Branson can power through the block or find a great seam. She is the go to player for the Bulldogs. Look for them to build their offense around her, as she returns with an average of 5.3 kills per set.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6 '0 "Middle [player_tooltip player_id='275970' first='Erin' last='Gegg'] is another to keep tabs on this fall. She had a .244 hitting percentage and is really athletic. She gets on top of the ball well and can swing through the block. She also puts up a strong block.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore Libero [player_tooltip player_id='498984' first='Gracie' last='Willis'] has a great serve and has great ball control. She can dig with her platform or control the ball with her hands well. Keep tabs on her this upcoming season to keep ball control on point to enhance the firepower at the net.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overton graduated a lot of talent from last year's State Championship team, but returning outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='275971' first='Daisy' last='Ryan'] has a lot of experience at the pin. She hammered 161 kills, served 64 aces and had 289 digs. The Eagles will definitely look to her as a leader and&nbsp; go to player this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5'7” Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='495090' first='Reagan' last='Stracke'] returns for the Stuart Broncos this fall as a senior. She had 282 kills, and 332 digs and chipped in 61 ace serves. Stracke will be a good leader for the Broncos with some great veteran experience!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='728384' first='Jaylee' last='Sobotka'] and [player_tooltip player_id='462578' first='McKenzie' last='Hofstetter'] return to bring a lot of offense to the Meridian Mustangs this upcoming season. Hofstetter does a great job of placing the ball. She can find deep corners or a short tip in front of defenders. She is also a strong blocker and accumulated 43 blocks last fall. Jaylee also sees the floor well and can finesse a shot or hit a hard cut shot. This duo will prove to be a defensive nightmare for opposing defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wynot Blue Devils are also in the same boat as Overton losing a lot of their star power to graduation. Look to Middle Blocker [player_tooltip player_id='497421' first='Kenna' last='Oligmueller'] to step it up. She had a great sophomore season with 141 kills and 41 blocks. The middle has long levers and moves well in the middle. Oligmueller patrols the middle well and can get that stuff block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cambridge's 6'1” [player_tooltip player_id='173521' first='Erin' last='Johnson'] returns for the Trojans this fall coming in with 351 kills on her junior resume. She is strong and can hit from anywhere across the net. Her length and frame make it hard to block her or hit against her. Johnson also can find the open floor on tips too. She definitely has a high ceiling! Take note of this small town talent!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season is nearly upon us. It will be fun to see how these players with State Tournament experience elevate the play around them. It should be fun to see if they can complete the journey back to Lincoln in November!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->